The Friday before her first birthday, mama, dada & grandma all took the day off & headed to the happiest place on earth- DISNEYLAND! Everly still couldn’t walk more that 2-3 steps- and hadn’t even watched any of the cartoons, so we weren’t quite sure what she’d think of Disneyland, but the magic kicked in instantly.

We had to shop for the “First Trip” & “Happy Birthday” Buttons!

Everly was captivated. Just FASCINATED and loved looking and taking it all in. I was worried the rides might be scary- too dark, too much going on, but again I forget, Disney knows their little audience. Everly smiled & clapped her hands right on through the rides, (even the parts I think are spooky!) and LOVED watching the parade too- danced & smiled as they waved to her!

We managed a few character photo ops- the first was a impromptu Pluto visit- she loved his nose!

Then we went into Toontown & through Mickey’s house. I think she was fine meeting Mickey, but seeing the photographer and the full set up seemed a wee bit overwhelming.

First ride: the Carousel!, also got to enjoy it’s a small world, and the winnie the pooh ride.

We played & napped, (napped in stroller with grandma watching, while Steve & I got to sneak in a big kid ride!).

Overall we all fully enjoyed the day- and headed home to rest up for the party the next day. Well, Everly got to rest, Mama & Dada got to clean & set everything up!

Steve Kicked off june as usual- with the Youth Action Team Booth at Relay for Life. Everly and I were exempt (this year) from Camping out- but we made sure to stop by & show our support & get a few laps in! Loved the Beatles theme of their booth! Everly was NOT a fan of all that sun- she stayed eye’s shut most of the visit, even under the tent was too bright.

Everly got to attend her first Bridal shower! (we may have had to escape early before any crying blew her image of a perfect baby! Haha)

Lots of enjoying the playmat & traveler this month.

Making progress on that tummy time!

Visited Uncles David & Andy at work.

First trip to Stone for a Growler fill up with Daddy.

Mama & Daddy got to get gussied up & go out on the town (sans baby) for Megan & Daniel’s awesome wedding. Loved the barn, the décor and of course the sweet ceremony & awesome Dancing! It was the longest I’d been away from Everly yet, but she was happy home with Nana & Pop Pop on duty! Also we got to continue our joke that we only attend weddings when Kristin Rogers is the photographer!

Starting to outgrow the bassinet! (and that onesie!)

THIS face!

And this Smile is the BEST way to start a morning.

Visited Auntie Amanda at work- first time I got to capture “elevator eyes” as we rode to the parking garage.

After initially planning on a newborn photo shoot the week we got home from the hospital- we quickly learned that- just like how she crashed our yard party by showing up 3 weeks ahead of schedule, Everly had other plans for her pictures. She rescheduled her pictures by refusing to eat AT ALL & crying all night before our 10am photo shoot. In case you’re keeping score: Newborn- 2, Parents- 0.

So with the dates pushed back- it became a 3 month photo shoot!

And just to make sure we still knew who was in charge, Everly ruled- refusing to smile while a camera was on her- but of course- she’s still adorable!

Here are some of our favorite shots. Always hard to choose & not just show them ALL!

Our Teeny Steamie is one lucky girl to get to spend time with TWO Great Grandmothers. Over mothers day weekend we adventured to Palm Springs to meet one, and then the following weekend visited the other.

It’s kind of a blur post-baby arrival. Those first few weeks are truly a blur of sleeping, feeding & soothing. But in looking back at the pictures (hundreds of which are just of the little nugget herself) we did squeeze in a few other things, but mostly just time spent ogling and learning to be parents! It is hard work, but so AMAZING to watch her grow each day.

Finishing touches on Everly’s room (hanging up the art work, and the cute banner from Steve’s office shower)

Modeling cute outfits

Everly (& mama’s) first stroll around the neighborhood

Snoozing…

This I call “A portrait of Motherhood” Its 1pm, baby is finally sleeping in the bassinet, mama is still in PJ’s, and scarfing a burger someone picked up for her.

Play time (which at this point is just staring at high contrast objects)

So after 37 weeks of anticipation- our baby girl decided to skip waiting those last three weeks to make her debut on Friday April 12, 2013.

That morning I woke up giddy- ready for my last day in the office before starting my maternity leave! I had big plans for my remaining 3 weeks of pregnancy- finishing the nursery, organizing things around the house, and shopping & lunches with friends… and napping. LOTS of napping.

Clearly Everly had other plans!

Daddy spent that Friday busy preparing for the yard party we had planned for the following day. Food & drinks were purchased (nacho bar & baked potato bar were in the works- complete with extra crockpots for cheese & chili). The house was a smattering of boxes and goods for the party.

After work- I was debating in attending my weekly 6:30yoga class – but felt rather sleepy- so I decided to skip it in favor of a quick nap on the couch. So thankful I did- since just as Steve was requesting my help in stringing up the party lights in the yard for our party- I realized my water had broke!

I yelled for Steve- explained what just happened & started repeating “I’m not ready!”

But we were ready enough at least. The rough draft of a hospital bag was packed & in my trunk. The car seat had been in my car since that Wednesday. Steve remained calm, saying- let’s do this, and off to the hospital we went.

I texted my mom on the way there “feeling funny- off to hospital”. I didn’t want to jump the gun in case it was a false alarm- but apparently “feeling funny” instead if just saying “pretty sure my water broke” was cryptic & made her more nervous! Whoops! Sorry mom!

Once we arrived at hoag- we parked & took the walk from the parking garage to the labor & delivery check in! Taking pics in the elevator as we went!

The hospital staff was quick to set us up to be evaluated. They seemed to doubt my claims of water breaking until they made me change into just the hospital gown & I proceeded to leave a puddle on the floor. The nurse took one look at that and said- ah! You’re being admitted right now!

They brought me the ice chips & began my check- in paperwork. We then felt it was official enough that this babe was arriving that night- so we called our families. My mom said she’d come over as soon as her meatloaf was done cooking! Steve’s parents were out to dinner in Palm Springs- and they made RECORD time getting to the hospital. We also called in Steve’s brother Andy- to have him stop by our house, and pick up clothes etc that hadn’t been packed into the hospital bag. (I packed for me & baby- but forgot stuff for Steve!)

Here’s how we pass the time before the nurses came in to check me out-

Stretches & self portraits!

As the nurses checked my progress- it was quickly discovered that the baby was breech. Booty first! That immediately changed my “natural” birth plan to an automatic C-section. I was very disappointed- but I also knew with my water broken the chances of my “natural” process were diminishing with time anyway- and what mattered was that our little girl arrive safe & sound. I was only dilated 1cm & the contractions were so mild- I needed to look at the monitor to confirm of they were happening at all. I knew the even if she weren’t breech- we only had a few hours of labor before they would need to intervene.

The family all arrived (My mom, Ray, Steve’s Parents Scott & Vicki, bro & sis Andy & Brittany,) with good timing to say hello before we were whisked off to theOR. We got some pics with our entourage , got Steve suited up for the OR. & then they were shooed out to the waiting room as we were prepped to meet our little girl.

They took me into the OR first- and administered the spinal. As it took effect (so fast!) they prepped the room, each dr or nurse bustling around stopping to introduce themselves to me. Once they were almost ready- they brought Steve in to sit by my side when then they were ready to begin. It all felt surreal & the numbing of my body from my chest down made me quite nervous! I felt like I could easily fall off the table. But as soon as Steve entered the room- he grabbed my hand & gave me encouraging squeezes & kind words- and within a few minutes they told us- OK- you can look now- and Steve stood up to peek over the curtain, while the anesthesiologist held up a mirror so I could watch as the doctors tugged our little girl out into the world. She came out- back side up, bottom first- then her little legs and arms popped out and finally her head! She looked OH so tiny. It felt like minutes- but probably only a few seconds passed until we heard her strong cries. In telling about it after, people were surprised we watched her entrance- – but hey- that’s what we came for! To get this baby out and into the world-we had to see it happen!

They whisked her off to the corner of the room be checked out & cleaned up- I could hear her crying, but had to stay put (not that I could have moved!) while they finished patching me up.

Steve went over to check her out up close while she was weighed & measured. (And of course he snapped those very first pictures) Daddy even got to cut the umbilical cord. After a quick assessment- the nurse brought her over & placed her on my chest. She was so teeny- and screaming. I just nuzzled her & told her hello and that she was beautiful.

The anesthesiologist took our first family photo!

She was whisked back for more checking and shortly thereafter, they wheeled us out of the OR, and into the recovery room. Once I was in place, I got to officially hold her on my chest.

She was very sweet just nestled there. Time went very fast to me- but to our family in the waiting room those couple of hours dragged on. But we took that recovery time to send out pictures & announce her name! Everly Gray Knollmiller. My mom texted back- “we like it- it’s Gray-t” haha. When I texted my friends- I got back from George “So I take it the BBQ tomorrow is off” haha- indeed it was! As another friend pointed out- this probably won’t be the last time our plans change due to this little girl! 😉

Once my numbness wore off sufficiently and the baby’s temp and all was stable- we were transferred up to the hospital room- and the visitors were able to come greetthe little girl. The pack had expanded while we were out- so now included my Aunt Pam, Uncle Dick & Cousin Amanda! We took turns holding & staring at her. By then it was after 1am.

Our happy but sleepy visitors left and Steve, Everly & I remained to carry on our first night as a new little family.

We stayed 3nights- and were cleared to come home Monday. We packed up- and the nurse wheeled Everly & I out to the car!

She didn’t enjoy getting transferred to the car seat- but settled in nicely.

Our parents had been cleaning up the house from it’s party prep disaster zone- to a welcome home for our little one. My mom had flowers and signs & banners welcoming our new little family home.

What was so sweet is the reaction from the neighbors- people stopped in to say hi, and dropped off gifts & cards on the porch. Such an unexpected treat while we adjusted to being home with our little one.

We’ve already taken hundreds of pictures- but how could we resist?

We love you Everly- I can’t believe you could still be in my belly right now (for another week even!) So while it was a surprise (and it derailed my napping & nesting plans)- I wouldn’t change a thing- since we’ve enjoyed you so much already in these first 14 days!